Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary - Vedanthangal : Vedanthangal Lake is at an altitude of 122 m. This Bird Sanctuary established in 1858 in an area of 70 acres, is 85 kms from Chennai. The peak season period between November - March attracts thousands of birds like: Darter, Grebes, Egrets, White Ibis, Garganey Teals, Grey Pelican, Grey Heron, Siberian Painted Storks, Spoonbill and Spot Bill Duck from different parts of the globe, visit and breed here. Vedanthangal birds sanctuary is one of the smallest and oldest in the country with a unique history. The local people have been protecting the sanctuary for centuries now, because they have realized that the bird droppings falling into the tank increases nitrogen content of the water and when used to irrigate crop increases the yield greatly and saves the cost of fertilizers. In 1798, the village folk convinced the authorities to give protection to the birds of the 30 ha. area of the Vedanthangal tank. Around 30000 birds come every season even though the
area is small in size. It then attracts multitudes of
herons, egrets, storks, ibises and spoon bills. If the monsoon is heavy, these trees can be partially submerged. Despite its compact size, Vedanthangal is worth a visit, especially between October and January, for the experience of seeing nesting birds in close range.

Other Information

Location

Vedanthangal Karikili Kancheepuram district -
85
kms from Chenna
i.

Area

30 hectares.

Vedanthangal
Karikili

70 hectares with a belt of 5 kms width around.

Forest type

A tank having a compact grove of
Barringtonia
acacia nilotica
trees and the dry evergreen scrub and thorn forests.

Animals found

These sanctuaries are famous for their breeding
heronry including Cormorants, Egrets, Grey heron, Open-billed stork, Darter, Spoonbill,
White Ibis, Night Herons, Grebes, Grey Pelican etc
.
Many migratory birds like teals, shovellers, pintails, sandpipers etc.visit the sanctuary in winter.A variety of resident birds
like Coots, Moorhen and Terns can also be seen
.
Vedanthangal is the oldest water bird sanctuary
in the country.

Annual rainfall

About 1200 mm

Nearest airport

Chennai - 85kms away

Nearest Railway station

Chengalpattu - 30 kms away

Best Season

The nesting season commences late in October
and the birds are through with breeding and disperse to their feeding grounds about
February. The best season is November to February.

Accommodation

Forest Rest House at Vedanthangal with
catering arrangements, P.W.D. Rest House at Karunguzhi.